DOING THE RIGHT THING VS. SAYING THE RIGHT THING
A Tale of Truth, Lies, and the Public Arena
Ah, the age-old debate: Is it better to *do* the right thing or merely *say* the right thing? If you’ve ever been to a family dinner where your aunt boasts about her kale smoothie diet while sneaking a third slice of cheesecake, you already know the answer. But in the broader world of politics, business, and public service, this dilemma takes on a much more serious—and occasionally hilarious—dimension.
Recently, on the Big Education Ape blog (yes, that’s a real thing and not a children’s cartoon about primates learning algebra), I delved into a rather eyebrow-raising phenomenon. It seems some of Trump’s cabinet and administration picks have mastered the art of verbal gymnastics. They’ve been flipping, twisting, and somersaulting away from their previous stances on critical issues faster than an Olympic gymnast chasing gold. And while this might earn them a perfect 10 on the “say whatever it takes” scale, it raises an important question: When did truth become so… optional?
The Private Sector: Where Lies Go to Die
Let’s take a quick detour into the private sector. Imagine you’re applying for a job at a local bakery. You claim to be a world-class pastry chef who once baked croissants for the Queen of England. In reality, you’ve only ever burned toast and think "choux pastry" is a French insult. If your employer finds out, you’re toast (pun intended). Lying on an application—or during employment—can have serious consequences. We’re talking lawsuits, defamation claims, and possibly even criminal charges. Perjury is no joke, folks.
Yet in the public sector, it seems we’ve got an entirely different playbook. Politicians and public figures can backpedal on their promises faster than a cyclist realizing they’re headed toward a cliff. And what happens when they’re caught? A shrug, a carefully worded apology (read: non-apology), and a press conference where they blame “miscommunication.” Meanwhile, if you lied about your Excel skills during an interview, your boss would probably have you escorted out by security.
Public Lying: The Anti-Democratic Elephant in the Room
Let’s call it what it is: Public lying is anti-democratic. Democracy thrives on informed decision-making. If our leaders are feeding us a steady diet of half-truths and outright falsehoods, how can we make decisions that reflect our best interests? It’s like trying to navigate with a GPS that insists you drive into a lake.
The problem isn’t just that these lies are told—it’s that they’re tolerated. We’ve become so desensitized to political flip-flopping that it barely registers anymore. One day, someone swears they’ll protect healthcare for all; the next day, they’re dismantling it like it’s an IKEA bookshelf missing half its screws. And we just… let it slide?
Is It Time for a Constitutional Amendment?
Here’s a wild thought: What if lying in the public arena was actually illegal? Imagine a world where politicians were held to the same standards as your average job applicant. Suddenly, campaign promises would carry real weight. “I’ll create 10 million jobs!” would no longer be an empty platitude but a legally binding statement. The thought alone is enough to make certain career politicians break out in a cold sweat.
Of course, we’d need to draw some lines. Free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, and nobody wants to live in a dystopian society where every word is policed. But free speech already has its limits—libel, slander, incitement to violence—so why not add “public lying” to the list? After all, if you can’t yell “fire” in a crowded theater when there isn’t one, why should you be able to yell “tax cuts for everyone!” when you know full well that’s not happening?
The Risks of Doing Nothing
If we continue down this path of tolerating lies in public service, we risk eroding trust in our institutions entirely. And let’s face it—trust is already hanging by a thread thinner than my patience during Monday morning meetings. When people stop believing what their leaders say, democracy falters. Voter turnout drops, cynicism rises, and suddenly you’ve got a society where truth is as rare as a unicorn sighting.
But here’s the kicker: Doing the right thing isn’t just about holding others accountable—it’s about holding ourselves accountable too. We need to demand honesty from our leaders and refuse to settle for anything less. It’s not enough to roll our eyes at yet another broken promise or blatant lie; we need to call it out, loudly and often.
A Witty Conclusion (Because You Deserve It)
In the grand battle of doing versus saying the right thing, actions will always speak louder than words. You can claim to be the world’s greatest advocate for education reform, but if your policies involve cutting school funding and replacing textbooks with TikTok tutorials, your actions betray your words.
So let’s raise the bar—not just for our leaders but for ourselves as voters and citizens. Let’s demand truth, integrity, and accountability in all arenas, public and private. And if anyone objects? Well, they can take it up with Aunt Kale Smoothie over there. Just don’t let her near the cheesecake.
In the end, democracy isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. And progress starts with doing the right thing… even when no one’s watching.
